County cricket preview: Middlesex bank on quiet evolution but it’s all change at Surrey, who have gone for experience

 
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Tom Collomosse10 April 2013

A half-hour tube ride is all that separates Lord’s from The Kia Oval but Middlesex and Surrey have been miles apart in their approach to building a team for the new season.

As the two counties prepare for a summer they hope will yield successes and silverware, the contrast has been striking.

North of the river, the plan has been for gradual improvement. Middlesex fought off strong competition to add James Harris, the seamer who decided to leave Glamorgan, to a fast bowling department that was already one of the most powerful in Division One.

But there has been little change in other areas. Guided by managing director of cricket Angus Fraser, a quiet evolution is taking place.

Not so at Surrey, who aim to make this a happy season after experiencing tragedy last summer when Tom Maynard, their highly promising batsman, died in June at the age of 23. Two months ago, an inquest found that Maynard had cocaine in his blood at the time of his death.

Maynard was a member of a talented core of young players and, while some of those remain, the squad for 2013 looks to have a better balance. The signing of South African captain Graeme Smith (above, second image) to replace Rory Hamilton-Brown as the side’s leader appears an excellent move. Vikram Solanki and Gary Keedy, both proven county players, should bring expertise to batting and bowling respectively.

“I knew Graeme Smith’s reputation and everything I’ve seen so far backs that up ten-fold,” said Gareth Batty, who stood in as skipper for the second half of last season. “We were already making strides and it’s great to know we have a bloke like that in charge.

“Every county will be saying the same thing but there is massive belief in our squad that we can win something. We want to make sure that, come August and September, we are in a good position to challenge.”

Ricky Ponting, the former captain of Australia, will arrive in mid-summer to replace Smith, who is likely to represent South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy. The timing of Ponting’s stint makes it easy to speculate about a possible Ashes comeback, but it is his compatriot at Middlesex who might have a better chance of trying to help Australia regain the urn.

With a first-class average of nearly 54 in England, Chris Rogers’s pedigree is clear, and the 35-year-old knows that strong performances for his county will enhance his case. Batting was Middlesex’s weaker discipline last summer; they will rely heavily again upon Rogers, their captain in four-day cricket, but greater support is required, especially when Middlesex have such a powerful seam attack.

Harris, Toby Roland-Jones, Tim Murtagh and Corey Collymore will challenge most batsmen, especially in early-season conditions. If Middlesex can bat better, who knows where they can finish? Don’t forget they finished third in Division One last summer after promotion the previous year.

“We have a number of good seam bowlers and if James Harris can bowl well alongside them, there will be good signs for us,” Rogers said. “Playing in Division One is a new challenge for James and he still has a long way to go but, hopefully, that will drive him. From what I’ve seen, he is a very skilful bowler and there is a lot of talent there.”

While Surrey and Middlesex try to climb to the top of the county game, Kent and Essex are striving to join them among the elite.

At Canterbury, James Tredwell takes over as captain from Rob Key, who has stepped down after leading the side for seven years. Third in Division Two last season, Kent will hope talented young players like Daniel Bell-Drummond, Sam Northeast and Matt Coles can flourish as they push for promotion.

It is a similar story at Essex, where much is expected of Tymal Mills and Reece Topley, two young pace bowlers who have caught the eye of England coaches. Yet Division One is the place to be and if these young players can help realise their counties’ ambitions, they have a better chance of achieving their own.

The question is . . . how are our counties shaping up for the season ahead?

CHRIS ROGERS (Middx four-day capt)

In which areas can you improve from last season?

A few of our batsmen were probably a bit disappointed with their stats at the end of last summer, even though it was a tough season with the weather. Hopefully, we’ll get a few more wickets from the spin department, too.

Who are the main contenders for the title/promotion?

Warwicks and Somerset will always be tough and Notts are very good, but it will come down to small margins.

What would make the county system better?

Next year, we go back to 50-over cricket but I believe we should stick with 40 overs. I’ve played both formats and 40-overs is much more exciting. I understand the desire to bring the domestic game into line with the international one but 40 overs lets you build an innings and doesn’t have the mundane periods of 50 overs.

Who are the best young players to watch, at your county and elsewhere?

Ravi Patel has rare skills as a left-arm spinner. Look out for Gurjit Sandhu, our left-arm swing bowler. Craig Overton, of Somerset, looks quick and nasty.

GARETH BATTY (Surrey off-spinner)

In which areas can you improve from last season?

It’s all about consistency. We started to discover it with the bat towards the end of last season. We have a bowling unit who can bowl teams out on any surface and we have to give them the best chance to do that.

Who are the main contenders for the title/promotion?

Middlesex will be dangerous early on because of their seam attack. If we do our jobs properly, we can be contenders.

What would make the county system better?

I would like to see slightly bigger squads to make 2nd team cricket stronger. The salary cap makes it difficult but 2nd XI cricket is more like Under-19 cricket, and that is a slight drawback. You want young lads to be able to learn from playing alongside senior professionals. It should be more like a reserve team.

Who are the best young players to watch, at your county and elsewhere?

Our opener Rory Burns had a great year and quickie George Edwards has so much potential. Lancashire spinner Simon Kerrigan can bowl sides out.

PAUL GRAYSON (Essex coach)

In which areas can you improve from last season?

We’re slowly getting better at four-day cricket but we have to get more runs on the board, particularly in the first innings. With the batting bonus points available, the incentive to improve this aspect of our game is very clear.

Who are the main contenders for the title/promotion?

Lancashire are under pressure to bounce straight back. Hampshire have a good squad and Kent are developing well.

What would make the county system better?

We always seem to be in such a rush to start the season and I would like to see the summer begin in the last week of April. Having T20 games throughout next season, rather than in a block in mid-summer, will make it more difficult for coaches to prepare their players for different disciplines.

Who are the best young players to watch, at your county and elsewhere?

We have batsman Ben Foakes and seam bowlers Tymal Mills and Reece Topley. I also like Kent batsmen Daniel Bell-Drummond and Sam Northeast.

JAMIE CLIFFORD (Kent chief exec)

In which areas can you improve from last season?

We just came up short in all three competitions last summer. Our priority is to gain promotion and we believe we have the quality in our squad to achieve that objective. That’s what our supporters want.

Who are the main contenders for the title/promotion?

I expect Lancashire to be strong, and Worcester. We’ve a good rivalry with Essex and Hants and hope to come top.

What would make the county system better?

I’m happy with the changes that are coming in next summer. I want more T20 games because that is the chance for counties like Kent to generate revenue, and we will have 14 group games instead of 10. The Championship should be celebrated for what it is — a fantastic test of a team, in many conditions.

Who are the best young players to watch, at your county and elsewhere?

I’d urge people to look at all the players in our academy. Adam Ball and Adam Riley are certainly two for supporters to look out for.

MIDDLESEX - Division 1

Director of cricket: Angus Fraser

Captains: Chris Rogers (ch), Neil Dexter

Last season: 3rd in Division 1

Title odds: 13-2

SURREY - Division 1

Director of cricket: Chris Adams

Captain: Graeme Smith

Last season: 7th in Division 1

Title odds: 4-1

ESSEX - Division 2

Coach: Paul Grayson

Captain: James Foster

Last season: 5th in Division 2

Title odds: 6-1

KENT - Division 2

Coach: Jimmy Adams

Captain: James Tredwell

Last season: 3rd in Division 2

Title odds: 4-1

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